Outages and Power Problems Frequently Asked Questions

How do I report a power problem or check the status of a previously reported problem?

You can report a power outage or get a repair estimate online. You can also call 800.477.4747 and use our automated phone system to report an outage or get an estimate. Additionally, the DTE Energy Mobile App enables you to report outages using your smart phone.

Should I report my power outage or do you already know my power is out?

Never assume we know that your power is out. While we do have equipment installed on our lines that indicate general areas are without power, we rely on customer outage reports to help pinpoint specific areas without power. Your report will help us determine the full extent of an outage and help us more efficiently deploy our crews to restore power.

Who is responsible for repairs to my meter?

DTE Energy is responsible for repairs to the meter itself. We are also responsible for the service drop, which is the line either above ground or underground running from the utility pole to your home. You are responsible for all other additional equipment at the meter location, including the service entrance cable. Contact a licensed electrician to complete any repairs that are your responsibility.

Can I get reimbursed for spoiled food or damage to personal property?

DTE Energy is not legally responsible for damage caused by an act of nature. If you own your home or rent and have renter's insurance, please check with your insurance company to see if your losses are covered by your policy. Visit our Damages and Claims page for more information related to storm damage.

Power lines are down on my street. What should I do?

First, stay at least 20 feet away from the lines, and keep children and pets inside. Assume that all downed power lines are energized and stay away. You can report the downed lines online or call us at 800.477.4747. If you think the downed lines pose an immediate hazard to the public, call 911 or your local emergency police and fire number.

How can I tell if a downed power line is still energized?

Consider all lines to be energized and stay at least 20 feet away. Keep children and pets away, too. Energized wires that have fallen may whip around, spark or arc as they look for a ground, which is either the earth or something connected to the earth, such as a tree or metal fence. However, energized wires that have found their ground may lie silent and still, but are equally dangerous.

Why do my neighbors across the street or around the corner have power and I don't?

There are several possible reasons. Fuses inside your home could have tripped and caused an outage. Tree limbs may have fallen on your service drop, which is the line that runs from the utility pole to your home. Or your neighbors may get their electrical service from another circuit that was not damaged by the storm or was restored earlier than the circuit supplying power to your home.

What happens after I report my outage?

After you report an outage, we create a computerized report of the trouble. The information contained in the trouble report goes into our outage management computer program, which helps us determine the extent of the outage based on your outage report, those from other customers, current weather conditions and other factors. After the extent of the outage is determined, we prioritize your trouble report and send it to our dispatch center for assignment to a line crew for repair.

How does DTE Energy handle all the restoration work after a major storm?

Our staff constantly monitors weather conditions, and when severe weather threatens, we begin mobilizing early on. By the time severe storms reach our area, our emergency team is already at work implementing our storm response plan. As soon as weather conditions permit us to safely begin restoration work, such as when the storm subsides, our crews assess the extent of damage and begin restoration. If necessary, we call in line crews from other utilities to help with restoration efforts.

How do you decide which customers get their power restored first?

Our top priority is restoring power to hospitals, nursing-care facilities, police and fire stations, communication facilities (radio and television stations), and sanitary-pumping facilities. We then focus on restoring power to the remaining households and businesses, starting with electrical circuits where the largest numbers of customers are without power.

How can I find out when my power will be restored?

After a major storm, it takes us several hours to analyze the extent of damage and develop restoration schedules. You can get a restoration estimate online from a location that has power or by using the DTE Energy Mobile App. You may also call 800.477.4747 and use our automated system. Remember that estimates may be revised if damage is more severe than anticipated or continuing severe weather delays our restoration efforts.

A line truck drove through my neighborhood. Why didn’t the crew stop to restore my power?

Getting the power back on for everyone is a structured and detailed process; everything must be done in steps. The line truck you saw may have contained a crew that was assessing the extent of damage. Or the crew may have been repairing the lines serving your street, which must be done before the line going into your home is fixed. Please refrain from stopping our line crews to ask questions or make special requests. Doing so only slows restoration of power for you and your neighbors.